The Northville High baseball program knocked it out of the park once again on Saturday as it capped off its annual Armed Forces Day.

Prior to Saturday's varsity games against Trenton and Woodhaven, Northville varsity players and coaches held a ceremony recognizing not only past veterans like Digger O'Dell, who was one of three to throw out the first pitch, along with the families of both fallen and injured vets.

"Remebering Our Fallen," a traveling exhibit, was on display last weekend in front of Northville High School.(Photo: BRAD EMONS)

Also throwing out the first pitch was Sgt. Michael Gower of Middleville, who was severely injured on Aug. 2, 2007 while serving in Baghdad on his second deployment when the vehicle transporting him rolled over a two-ton, subsurface improvised explosive device (IED).

The subsequent blast killed several of Sgt. Gower’s teammates, and injured eight others. Gower was pinned in the vehicle, critically injuring his back and fracturing both his feet, tibia and fibula. He also sustained a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Military vet Digger O'Dell threw out the first pitch to Northville catcher BIlly Flohr.(Photo: BRAD EMONS)

Medically retired in January 2009, Gower underwent numerous limb salvage surgeries over the years to aid in his recovery.

But now there is hope for Gower and other vets like him as all proceeds from Northville's Armed Forces Day go toward Homes for Our Troops, an organization which builds specialty adapted homes.

It will allow Gower to have full wheelchair access and independence while alleviating the challenges of living on a hill with a steep driveway, which be eliminated once he moves into his newly customized home.

An American bald eagle paid a visit to the Northville baseball field on Armed Forces Day.(Photo: BRAD EMONS)

“This new home will improve my quality of life because I will be able to get in and out of my house,” Sgt. Gower said on the Homes for Our Troops website. “It will also make my wife and son’s life better since they won’t have to watch me struggle.”

The Armed Forces Day activities started with a charity softball game on Thursday night between the military personnel and Northville Police/Fire departments.

Sgt. Michael Gower and his son (front) were part of Armed Forces Day at Northville H.S. along with assistant Bill Flohr (left), son Billy, a catcher, and head coach John Kostrzewa.(Photo: BRAD EMONS)

Meanwhile, a concert on Friday night at Northville's Ford Field featuring the band, The Killer Flamingos, also raised funds for the Homes for Our Troops.

"We raised $40,000 before the concert last night," Northville assistant baseball coach and event organizer Bill Flohr said. "I ran through 14 half-barrels of beer. The American Legion donated all the money back to us. So it's going all to Homes for Our Troops. We could hit $50,000 or $60,00 that we raised for this organization and one hundred percent goes to them."

Yet another fundraiser was held Saturday morning with Armed Forces Day 5K, which featured over 100 runners and walkers.

Meanwhile, several local business, with the help of Northville baseball parents, handed out food, water and beverages to spectators during the Mustangs' two games.

Local radio personality Tony Ortiz was the emcee for the pre-game ceremonies, which recognized the families of veterans killed in action.

"They love meeting the families and they love to wear the names on their backs," Flohr said of the Northville varsity players. "Every coach, every player has the name of a military family on their back. They presented them with a certificate of appreciation, along with an additional (Northville) jersey, just like they're wearing."

Over the four days, a traveling exhibit, “Remembering Our Fallen,” was on display 24 hours in front Northville High School.

The memorial included 31 Tribute Towers with military and personal photos of almost 5,000 of our nation’s fallen since Sept. 11, 2001. This memorial was unveiled nationally on Sept. 7, 2017, at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Its legacy will be that these men and women will be remembered and their names will be spoken, while helping to lessen the grief of their families.

"It's a brand new memorial, first time ever in Michigan," Flohr said. "It's only been shown in 15 places across America. It's a brand new memorial, first time ever in Michigan.

Former Arizona Cardinal player Pat Tillman is remembered after being killed in Afghanistan in 2004.(Photo: BRAD EMONS)

Another to throw out the first pitch was Noala Fritz, whose son Jacob was taken as a prisoner of war and executed in Iraq in 2007.